News Jonathan Arledge May Not Return

[GSII]

I think things were blown out of proportion by JA's request and/or exploration of a medical redshirt. At one point Hewitt called it a bruised back indicating he took a blunt force shot to the back. If so, I can see why staff thinks he should be playing by now. JA is in a tough spot now regardless. All he has to validate things is the legitimacy of the injury. If he comes back he looks like an idiot to his team. If he sits out, he looks an idiot to his team bc IMO, they know the depth of his injury, and how it occurred.

 

[Raider_SPE]

From what we know there is no specific injury like a herniated disk, so why would they approve the waiver since they don't know when his pain will go away. If he does want to transfer, does he not have the opportunity to re-apply for medical hardship after the season if he stays under the games or % of season played limit?

I hope this does not turn into a season long struggle between the two parties.

 

[Washingtonian]

I could be wrong about this, but wasn't JA having back issues before the season started?

 

[GSII]

^Wasn't he at Kenner?

 

[gmutom]

I could be wrong about this, but wasn't JA having back issues before the season started?

I heard he hurt it in a car accident in the offseason, but I'm not sure whether that is accurate or not. Either way, I hope he gets better and realizes it's in his best interest to finish his career strongly in a Mason uniform, so he can better his chances of playing professionally (most likely in Europe).

 

[GSII]

Wonder if case is closed on that accident? Could be seven figures getting in the way of playing.

 

[gmujim92]

No reason to assume that when (if?) JA returns and IF he is healthy, he will half a** it.

Yeah, I think talented kids like JA commonly get miscast as not trying hard because they're just so laid-back.

Would I like him to be a little more aggressive on the glass? Sure.

But not everyone has the personality to rip your throat out.

I'd be extremely pleased if he came back as the guy who averaged 13 and 6 over the second half of last season. The only question is whether his back will allow him to play at that level.

 

[MasonFanatic]

No decisions on medical waivers are made until after the season. Even if he applied for one now, he would not have received a response.

 

[KAOriginal]

I know nothing...but I'm willing to bet he's done. Kind of the Vaughn Gray situation from last year...except this years player has no more years left.

 

[Bricker]

I know nothing...but I'm willing to bet he's done. Kind of the Vaughn Gray situation from last year...except this years player has no more years left.

It's interesting that you mention Vaughn Gray. I know very little about his situation from last year other than the speculation mentioned here on the boards, but I have to admit I admire the kid.

Family or personal problems-- whatever he was dealing with-- he's come a long way. And he basically spent a year in the doghouse to get where he is right now. That's dedication. I try to imagine what I would have done in a similar situation when I was 20... and I'm not sure I would have the guts to stick it out like he has.

Whatever's going on with Arledge, I hope he's doing what's best for his health and future as an athlete.

 

[Masonman]

I admire athletes who face adversity head on. It bothers me the way players move around these days. Seems we get ones that were unhappy elsewhere and then lose ones here at GMU that have a year or two left. I would like to see this trend go away.

 

[Washingtonian]

http://www.gomason.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=25200&ATCLID=209326991

 

[Patriotsince81]

See ya, it's been nice, I wish you well.

 

[Walter]

If he transfers I hope he lands in a good place.

 

[GSII]

Who is gonna take a 6'9 dude with a bad back or possible back issues? Coppin st? Ok.

 

[GMUgemini]

Who is gonna take a 6'9 dude with a bad back or possible back issues? Coppin st? Ok.

I don't know. I keep wondering why people keep giving Greg Oden contracts. He's a 7 footer with two old man knees.

 

[GMUgemini]

I think he will wind up at a CAA school. JMU or Towson maybe. Or maybe ODU.

 

[gmutom]

This is my hunch, and let me make it clear it is just that: Arledge approached the staff with the idea of redshirting and the possibility of returning next year or playing elsewhere. The staff -- possibly eyeing a recruit, transfer or JUCO player who could play here anywhere from 2-4 years -- gave Jon the ultimatum of playing through the injury this year or moving on. Giving those options, he chose the latter.

Again, just a hunch.

 

[Pikapppatri8]

This is my hunch, and let me make it clear it is just that: Arledge approached the staff with the idea of redshirting and the possibility of returning next year or playing elsewhere. The staff -- possibly eyeing a recruit, transfer or JUCO player who could play here anywhere from 2-4 years -- gave Jon the ultimatum of playing through the injury this year or moving on. Giving those options, he chose the latter.

Again, just a hunch.

I think you might be hitting close to the mark. Seeing the type of players Hewitt and company have brought in - it seems to me that they are looking for larger faster quality that contrasts with the recruits we got under the OCM regime. As mentioned earlier in my posts on the URI game - everyone in our section were noticing the difference between these two cadres of recruits.

 

[GMUgemini]

That doesn't quite jibe, since we still have an open scholarship. So unless we got a bead in two players who are going to contribute right away I'm not sure why you'd give Arledge that ultimatum.